Dustin Johnson joined the PGA Tour in 2008 and less than a decade later was the undisputed No. 1 golfer in the world.
Along the way he picked up 29 wins on the Tour, claimed the 2016 U.S Open, finished second in consecutive PGA Championships (2019, 2020) and won a green jacket at The Masters in 2020.
“For me it was playing less, making more money. Pretty simple,” Johnson said during an on-camera interview as part of Netflix’s Full Swing docu-series.
As of April 2023 the former world No. 1 is ranked 69th overall. Whether or not he can climb back to the top of the sport while competing in fewer, less competitive tournaments with LIV remains to be seen.
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VERONA, NY – OCTOBER 05: Dustin Johnson hits his drive on the second hole during the final round of the Turning Stone Resort Championship at Atunyote Golf Club held on October 5, 2008 in Verona, New York. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images)
Dustin Johnson holds up his trophy on the 18th green of Pebble Beach golf links after winning the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. The tournament ended after 54 holes due to weather conditions. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
4/11/09 10:13:05 AM — Augusta, GA — The Masters third round — Dustin Johnson chips from the sand at No 7. Photo by Jack Gruber, USA TODAY.
Surrounded by the gallery he hit into, Dustin Johnson hits his approach shot on No. 18 Sunday Aug. 15, 2010 during the final round of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits. He was assessed a two-stroke penalty on the shot for grounding his club in a bunker. Photo by Bruce Halmo/Gannett Wisconsin Media
Jul 23 2012; London, UK; PGA Tour golfers Sergio Garcia (ESP) and Dustin Johnson (USA) pose for pictures after hitting golf balls on a floating barge on the River Thames at Tower Bridge as a part of the Adidas Golf Challenge. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
PEBBLE BEACH, CA – FEBRUARY 09: Dustin Johnson (L) and Wayne Gretzky wait on the 17th tee during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 9, 2013 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Apr 6, 2016; Augusta, GA, USA; Dustin Johnson with Paulina Gretzky on the 4th green during the Par 3 Contest prior to the 2016 The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports
OAKMONT, PA – JUNE 19: Dustin Johnson of the United States celebrates with partner Paulina Gretzky and son Tatum after winning the U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 19, 2016 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
PARIS, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 28: Dustin Johnson of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during the morning fourball matches of the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National on September 28, 2018 in Paris, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
VERSAILLES, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 26: Dustin Johnson of the United States and his partner Paulina Gretzky arrive at the Ryder Cup Gala dinner at the Palace of Versailles ahead of the 2018 Ryder Cup on September 26, 2018 in Versailles, France. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Dustin Johnson left, and Rory McIlroy shake hands on 16th green at the end of a fourball match on the opening day of the 42nd Ryder Cup in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, outside Paris, France. Johnson and McIlroy headline a $3 million charity match for COVID-19 relief that will mark the first live golf on television since the pandemic shut down sports worldwide. The May 17 match will be played at Seminole Golf Club in South Florida. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File)
Sep 15, 2020; Mamaroneck, New York, USA; Dustin Johnson smiles on the eleventh green during a practice round for the 2020 U.S. Open golf tournament at Winged Foot Golf Club – West. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2020; Augusta, Georgia, USA; 2019 Masters champion Tiger Woods presents Dustin Johnson with the green jacket after winning The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National GC. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
US golfer Dustin Johnson speaks during a press conference ahead of the forthcoming LIV Golf Invitational Series event at The Centurion Club in St Albans, north of London, on June 7, 2022. – Former world number one Dustin Johnson will head the field for the inaugural $25 million LIV Golf Invitational Series event in England, the new Saudi-backed golf circuit announced last week. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP)
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO – FEBRUARY 25: Dustin Johnson of 4Aces GC looks on during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on February 25, 2023 in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
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